Chapter 153: Chapter 153

"Hmm, seeing how uncomfortable you are here, let’s go then."

"But... shouldn’t we say goodbye to Grandpa Carter?"

"No need, he’s probably playing chess with Grandpa Sawyer."

In that case, we shouldn’t disturb them.

Daniel Carter took me to the car. Just as I was about to ask where we’re going now, my phone rang again.

It was Calvin Yance calling once more.

After the call, I turned to him a bit helplessly, "What to do, I need to go back to work overtime, there’s something urgent I need to handle before heading to Veyrona."

He frowned slightly, looking a bit troubled between his handsome and rugged brows.

"I’ll go with you, hmm?"

I was a little surprised, "Are you so free today?"

"Work is endless if you want to do it, but you’re leaving on a business trip tomorrow night, and you won’t be back even for New Year’s..."

He looked at me, his deep eyes filled with longing.

I was initially a bit apprehensive because of Mrs. Carter and Old Master Carter’s attitudes.

But seeing the reluctance in his eyes, those feelings vanished a lot, and I spoke gently without realizing it, "Alright, accompany me for overtime, and I’ll treat you to dinner tonight."

Honestly, since we confirmed our relationship, we’ve been busy with our own things and haven’t spent much time together.

During the honeymoon phase, we should be inseparable, missing each other like crazy after a day apart.

So, just let him keep me company for overtime.

When we got to the company, as soon as he saw I was working with Calvin Yance, he turned to look at me.

That look clearly said — lucky I came along!

Calvin Yance also seemed a bit nuanced when he saw him, both surprised and embarrassed.

Stuck in the middle, I could only smile awkwardly, "Well... we were just together, I didn’t drive, so he brought me over."

After saying that, I realized this explanation was unnecessary.

I’m the boss, even if I bring my boyfriend to the company, I don’t need to explain to anyone.

And why did I feel so guilty explaining this to a subordinate?

Sure enough, Daniel Carter’s expression soured again.

Inside the office, he pulled me and pressed me against the glass wall.

"What are you doing?" I was a bit nervous, "This is the office, there are people outside!"

Daniel Carter questioned me, "Is that guy going on the business trip with you?"

I looked at him with feigned amusement, "The trip also includes Cherry and high-level executives from the design and operations departments, about ten people in total."

It’s not just me and Calvin Yance.

I smiled, tilting my head slightly to look at him, jokingly asking, "What, this answer isn’t satisfactory? What should I do? Work requires this arrangement, how about you come with me and monitor me 24/7?"

I was just teasing, but he seriously nodded, "Not a bad suggestion."

"What?" I was shocked and quickly refused, "No, no! I was joking, who told you to take it seriously? You can’t go with me, stay home and have a good New Year."

The Carter Family is a noble family with traditional values; surely, they celebrate New Year’s with the whole family together.

If I just started dating and didn’t come home for New Year — what would the Carters think of me?

If they approved of me, it wouldn’t be a problem, they’d probably hope for us to be deeply in love and get married soon.

But based on today’s official meeting with his parents, Old Master Carter has clearly stated — dating is fine, marriage is not allowed.

And Mrs. Carter’s attitude was ambiguous, making it hard to judge.

Compared to Old Master Carter’s straightforwardness, Mrs. Carter’s uncertainty actually made me more disappointed.

After all, during previous visits to Carter Manor as a designer, Mrs. Carter was so warm and caring.

But today, visiting as Daniel Carter’s girlfriend, there was a bit of distance.

She was still enthusiastic and had Chef Barton cooking, showing importance.

But I couldn’t shake the feeling that her attitude towards me had changed.

So in this situation, I can’t drag Daniel Carter away, especially not so far abroad.

"I’m serious, stay at home, I’ll hurry back as soon as I’m done." I emphasized again.

He leaned in, looking at me, "But even if you’re quick, it’ll be ten days to half a month..."

I said nothing, frowning.

It would indeed take that long.

"A day apart feels like three years, ten days to half a month apart would be tormenting." he murmured softly, longingly, his eyes weaving a gentle cage around me.

I couldn’t help but be conflicted, only able to suggest, "We can video call and phone chat."

"That’s not even scratching the surface."

He leaned against me, but we couldn’t come to an agreement for quite some time.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door behind us.

I panicked, quickly pushed him away, and immediately fixed my attire, "Come in."

Calvin Yance entered, looking a bit strange still.

I guessed he saw me and Daniel Carter tangled together through the glass partition...

Ah, truly embarrassing.

Really regretting bringing him along for overtime.

"President Miller, I’ve prepared these materials, please review them." Calvin Yance walked in, handing over the documents.

"Alright, thank you for the hard work."

We moved to the desk and dove right into work.

Daniel Carter sat alone on the sofa in the lounge area, sometimes checking his phone, flipping through the magazines on the low table, or getting up to look at the awards and certificates on the bookshelf.

I occasionally glanced at him, and he always caught my gaze, responding with a smile.

Eventually, I stopped looking at him.

Calvin Yance, probably noticing the glances exchanged between me and Daniel Carter, looked awkward several times, and finally, he kept it brief, "That’s the gist, President Miller, review it first, and ask if you have questions. I have other things to handle."

Without waiting for my response, he got up and left.

Daniel Carter walked over and asked, "Does President Miller need some water?"

I leaned back into my chair with a sigh, "Why are you like someone with ADHD, wandering everywhere, can’t you sit quietly on the sofa?"

He laughed, "Why, is it that when I move, it stirs up someone’s heart, making it hard for someone to focus on work?"

"..." I rolled my eyes helplessly but sweetly and decided to ignore him.

Now it seems, that so-called low-key, mysterious, reserved demeanor is just a facade for outsiders.

In reality, he’s narcissistic, flamboyant, thick-skinned, and petty.

All afternoon, I dealt with work, and he wandered around in my office.

When I glanced at him occasionally, he’d immediately rush over to ask, "All done? Or are you thinking about me?"

I gave him a sidelong glance and continued to focus on my work.

Around six o’clock, I finally got everything done.

Calvin Yance knocked and entered again, "President Miller, everything is settled on my end. We can have a meeting early tomorrow morning to arrange the work, and we should be able to set off by noon."

"Alright, thank you for your hard work, President Yance."

Just as Calvin Yance was about to leave, Daniel Carter suddenly spoke up, "Please wait, President Yance."

I was startled, looking at him—what’s this guy up to again?

"It’s late already, how about we grab dinner together? It’s on me. I haven’t thanked you yet for helping Lily with the car last time."

Daniel Carter spoke with reason and poise, making it impossible to refuse.

But internally, I was wailing!

This guy, is he really going to honor the casual words he said when he picked me up at the seafood hotpot place?

Wasn’t it just a polite remark?

Calvin Yance was taken aback, probably surprised too, then said, "It was just a little favor."

"But President Yance still needs to have dinner, might as well join us." Daniel Carter was exceedingly polite, inviting once more, and added, "However, if President Yance has other plans, don’t feel obliged."

Calvin Yance glanced at me, his thoughts unknown, then replied, "I don’t have any plans."

"Then let’s go together."

He nodded, "Thank you, Mr. Carter."

Calvin Yance turned back to his office to get his coat, and I looked at Daniel Carter, perplexed, "What are you up to again? Why force him to dinner out of the blue?"

Daniel Carter walked up to me, lifted a hand to tuck my hair draped over my shoulder behind my ear, gently smoothing it down, with a grin at the corner of his mouth, "Making someone work overtime on a big weekend, it’s only right for you, as the boss, to treat them to dinner, don’t you think? Besides, I did say I’d treat him when he helped you with the car last time, and it just so happens."

"Ha! I don’t believe you, you’re clearly just showing off intentionally." I unceremoniously exposed him.

He chuckled lowly, the hand playing with my hair turning to graze my face with the back of his hand, stroking like patting a small pet.

"Since you’ve seen through it, President Yance probably has too."

"Duh! He’s neither blind nor dumb!" I retorted, dodging his actions, "Why do you always like to touch and feel?"

"Because you look so enticing, I can’t help wanting to touch when I see you."

What kind of description is that?

I glanced at him discontentedly, reminding, "Behave yourself later, don’t pull any tricks. I’m the boss after all and need to maintain some dignity in front of subordinates."

Since we’ve already invited him, there’s no turning back. I could only instruct him to "behave," and not to mess around.

But looking at his rascally, annoying demeanor, I doubt he’ll be obedient.

The dining spot was chosen by Daniel Carter.

The usual place, the seafood hotpot restaurant.

When I heard him mention eating here, I gave him an exasperated look.

This pettiness is Guinness World Record-worthy.

On the way to the hotpot restaurant, Wennie Lane called me.

"Busy bee, you’re finally free." I teased as I answered.

Wennie Lane sighed, "Don’t mention it, these past few days have been crazy busy. You’re free today, right?"

I knew what she was asking about and replied, "I was never busy to begin with, don’t worry."

"The Gordon Family hasn’t been bothering you again, right? After all, you sent Amanda Gordon back in again." The source of thɪs content is novelFɪre.net

"They haven’t. I suppose Adrian Gordon also knows it’s useless to come after me." After all, this time, Amanda Gordon offended Daniel Carter.

"Mr. Carter is so assertive!" Wennie Lane remarked with a gleam of schadenfreude, then changed the topic, "So how did it go meeting the elders at the Carter Family today?"

Seeing Daniel Carter was beside me, I hesitated, "I’ll talk to you later, it’s complicated."

"Complicated? What do you mean? They didn’t accept you?"

"Uh... not exactly. I’m going out for dinner now, let’s talk later."

I diverted the topic twice, and Wennie Lane suddenly understood, "Mr. Carter is beside you? Not convenient to talk?"

"Oh, got it, got it. You guys have dinner first, we can chat when it’s convenient for you."

"Okay." Just as I was about to hang up, I remembered I’d be traveling tomorrow, and hurriedly added, "It will have to wait until after New Year’s, I’m going to Veyrona tomorrow."

Wennie Lane, overwhelmed with work, had forgotten about this. As soon as I mentioned it, she recalled.

"Each year, you spend Spring Festival abroad, it’s really not easy. Now that you have a boyfriend, don’t go through the hassle next year."

I chuckled, saying meaningfully, "We’ll see next year."

Who knows if this boyfriend will last till the next Spring Festival.

After hanging up, I glanced at the messages on WeChat, and replied to some work-related ones.

"Lily, my family’s opinion isn’t that significant. Whether they approve or not, I can make my own decisions. Trust me." Daniel Carter’s deep and warm voice came as he drove.

I turned to look at him, deliberately brushing it off lightly, "Do you have dog ears? Your hearing is that sharp."

There was music in the car, my phone wasn’t on speaker, and I was taking the call from the window side.

He certainly couldn’t hear our conversation, yet he accurately spoke to the topic we discussed.

Daniel Carter chuckled, "If I didn’t have even this little understanding of you, then my affection would be too shallow."

I pressed my lips together, seriously thought for a moment, and solemnly said, "Daniel Carter, while we’re together, let’s love wholeheartedly without regrets, and part cleanly and decently when we must—okay?"

"No." He decisively refused, glancing back at me, "Unless our feelings have problems, like if you stop loving me, or I stop loving you—otherwise, I won’t accept any other reason for breaking up."

"So, are you prepared to stand against your family for me?"

"It’s not that serious, I’ll handle it."

He calmly reassured me.

But I have no idea what methods he could use to convince his family.

Maybe Mrs. Carter can be managed, but how do you change Old Master Carter’s mind?

It’s clear he wants to ally with old comrades, and Adrian Gordon is obviously willing to wait.

My mind was tangled in a mess of thoughts.

When we arrived at the hotpot restaurant, I sat next to Daniel Carter, with Calvin Yance sitting opposite.

While blanching dishes, Daniel Carter didn’t care about Calvin Yance’s feelings at all, constantly urging me to eat.

That wasn’t even the worst of it. When the dipping sauce got onto my face near the corner of my mouth, he considerately took a warm towel to help me wipe it.

I didn’t dare to look at Calvin Yance’s reaction, afraid he’d suddenly stand up, declare, "I’m full," and just walk away.

So, I discreetly kicked him under the table, signaling for him to tone it down.

He did indeed tone it down, but then turned his attention to Calvin Yance.

"President Yance, during this business trip, I’ll have to trouble you to look after Lily. Due to my job’s unique nature, I can’t be there to accompany her." Daniel Carter spoke very courteously and earnestly, as if entrusting a child.

I was rolling my eyes internally and hurriedly handed him some food, "Just eat, you haven’t had much. This is very fresh and sweet, eat it while it’s hot."

"Lily, don’t just think about me, also give some to President Yance." Daniel Carter thanked me, nodding lightly towards the opposite side with his chin.